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Message: [QUOTE="Nehanda, post: 26863, member: 2262"] South Africa wants to bring Formula One racing back to Africa after thirty years. The country hopes to host a Grand Prix again by 2027. Two locations compete for this honor: a street circuit through Cape Town or the historic Kyalami race track near Johannesburg. Sports minister Gayton McKenzie created a committee that plans to choose between these options during the third quarter. McKenzie believes South Africa stands an excellent chance of winning the bid. He stated in early February that the Grand Prix will definitely happen in 2027. The minister said he does not care whether Cape Town or Johannesburg hosts the race as long as it returns to South Africa. The last Formula One race on African soil took place at Kyalami in 1993, just before the country held its first democratic elections after apartheid ended. The Kyalami circuit sits about 30 kilometers outside Johannesburg. It features challenging turns and a huge South African flag painted across the track. Many famous drivers have raced there in past decades. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton supports bringing Formula One to Africa. He said last August that racing cannot continue adding events elsewhere yet ignore the African continent. Liberty Media bought Formula One in 2017 and wants to expand the sport globally. Samuel Tickell from the University of Munster explained that returning to South Africa represents something very important for Formula One. The country holds historic significance for the sport, including a driver strike led by Niki Lauda in 1982. South Africa produced the only African world champion, Jody Scheckter, who won with Ferrari in 1979. Adding an African race fits with Formula One's expansion plans. The upcoming season includes seven more races than in 2009. Simon Chadwick, professor at Skema Business School in Paris, notes that even high organizational costs should not present problems. Many nations view hosting Formula One as worth the expense because of strategic benefits beyond direct profits. Some countries receive sports infrastructure from partners seeking access to natural resources. Kyalami currently holds Grade 2 certification and needs upgrades to reach Formula One standards. The Cape Town alternative would create a street circuit near the 2010 World Cup stadium. This route would run beneath Lion's Head Mountain with ocean views. Cape Town Grand Prix CEO Igshaan Amlay claimed their circuit would surpass Monaco in beauty and excitement. Yet competition may come from beyond South Africa. Rwanda showed interest when President Paul Kagame met with Formula One officials at the Singapore Grand Prix. The central African nation already sponsors major soccer teams like Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain and partners with the NBA. Expert Simon Chadwick believes Rwanda may lead the race for hosting rights. Morocco has also expressed interest in Formula One for many years. Sports minister McKenzie questioned why Africa should receive just one Grand Prix when other continents host multiple races. Nothing prevents Formula One from approving two African events. Rwanda faces challenges related to its involvement in conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Some groups have already called for moving the cycling Road World Championships planned for Kigali away from the country. [/QUOTE]

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